Starters to return this weekend

Braves Notebook

NEW YORK - After an All-Star break vacation in the Bahamas for Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton, it's time for the Braves' injured arms to go back to work.

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Hudson hasn't pitched since June 13 because of a strained left oblique. Hampton has been plagued by a strained forearm since mid-May.

But both said Thursday they plan to pitch this weekend against the Mets.

Hudson will throw on Saturday, and Hampton on Sunday.

"We're just ready," Hampton said. "One thing the All-Star break is about is trying to get away from the game, but shoot, we've been away from the game for too long."

Without them, the Braves were still able to maintain a staff ERA of 3.77, second-best in the National League. With them, the team's pitching can only get stronger.

"It's very encouraging," manager Bobby Cox. "They're two studs to have back."

Each threw two simulated games last week at Turner Field to test their injuries. Hudson threw six innings, and Hampton four on Saturday.

Both pitchers threw lightly at Shea Stadium on Thursday afternoon after arriving from their island getaway. Hampton said he'll throw a bullpen session today as a final tune-up to his start, which will come against Mets ace Pedro Martinez.

"It's been a long time since I've competed," said the left-hander, who's 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA. "It'll be nice to get that fire back again."

When Hampton first suffered the injury in Los Angeles, he said he wasn't sure if he would be able to return this year because "it just wasn't healing."

"We're to a point where it feels pretty good. It's time to go out there and pitch," Hampton said. "Who knows what's going to happen down the road? But the last couple of times I've pitched (the simulated games), it's been fine. I'm optimistic."

So is Hudson (6-5, 3.78), who battled through problems with his side the past three seasons in Oakland.

"I feel like I can go in there and help the team win," Hudson said. "It's as close to 100 percent as it needs to be for me to go out there and do what I need to do to win."

Feeling Chipper, sort of

Chipper Jones made his return to the Braves' lineup Wednesday evening - for the Class A Rome Braves. Jones is currently in a minor league rehab stint to test his sore left foot and to get himself back into playing shape.

Jones went 1-for-3 with a single Wednesday. He came out in the eighth, saying he was "gassed."

"I felt pretty good," Jones told the Rome News Tribune. "It was fine swinging the bat, fine defensively, (but there was) a little discomfort running the bases. I didn't do all that bad."

Cox said Thursday he was unsure of exactly when Jones would return. He said he would talk to the third baseman today to check his progress. Jones said last week that he is shooting for Monday's game in San Francisco for a comeback. He hasn't played since June 7 because of the deep bone bruise and partially torn ligament between his second and third toes.

"When you think of pitchers in the Braves' (division) championship run, you think of (Glavine) and Smoltz," said rookie Jeff Francoeur, who grew up watching the team in suburban Atlanta. "Heck, I've been watching those guys since I was 6."

Glavine won 242 games as a Brave between 1987-2002. Smoltz has won 172 games and saved another 154 since debuting in 1988.

"I think we both appreciate what the other's done," Smoltz said. "It'll be fun, but it'll be business."